May 2003
NEWSLETTER #6

TOUR OF THE SPERRINS
Once again we find ourselves preparing for the Tour of the Sperrins, which is sponsored this year by KBB of Magherafelt. The activities are spread over three days, starting on Thurs 22nd May with a sponsored wheelbarrow race in Maghera, all monies raised going to the Club's nominated charities for 2003. On Friday night during signing on there will be a variety of displays available for you to visit at Walshs hotel. This will cover various aspects of road safety and there will even be a chance to see if you can pass the perception element of the theory-driving test!! So why not come along and give it a go.

As always we rely heavily on volunteers to help us marshal the TOTS to ensure it runs both smoothly and safely. We still need additional manpower to ensure that we can run all the stages safely on the day so if you are available I would encourage you to lend a hand either on a stage, in the town or service co-ordinating traffic. If available please contact this years COC Philip Shaw 07770 900000 or myself. Do not forget that to qualify for either club championship prizes or club perpetual awards this year you need to have marshalled during the year, so this is as good a chance as any to get those valuable signatures but apart from that some time you will be relying on others to volunteer to marshal so as an event you are entered for will run.

TRAINING
Training is essential to ensure the safety of the competitors and the officials during an event. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those club members who have recently been awarded with their First Aid certificates. There are two more opportunities for training coming up in the near future. Firstly there will be a training night for marshals covering such topics as personal safety at an event and what to do if you are in the unfortunate position to witness an accident. This will be held at the Ross Park Hotel Kells on Weds 14th May at 7.30pm. We are also trying to arrange a Fire Marshals training night. The details are not available yet as we are trying to gauge numbers so please let me know if you are interested or want any additional information. I would strongly advise anyone who marshals on events to attend these training nights as some day you may be very glad you did. If interested contact myself to confirm attendance on 028 70321473.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
For those of you registered for the club championship can you please ensure that you have a Marshalling to Complete card? If not please contact Willie John Convery or myself. Remember you will need two signatures for marshalling or one for acting as COC, deputy COC, Safety officer or Stage commander to be eligible for championship awards at the end of the year.

MEETINGS
Don't forget if you attend two meetings immediately prior to a MADMC event this year and you have an entry in for that event your name will be entered into a draw. This gives you a chance at winning your entry fee back again.

Look forward to seeing you at the next meeting on TUES 6th May in Mary's bar Magherafelt

URSULA MULLAN, Chairperson